The Border Collie

Appearance

The border collie is a well proportioned dog of medium size (dogs 48-53 cm and bitches 46-51 cm), the smooth outline showing quality, gracefulness and perfect balance, combined with sufficient substance to ensure that it is capable of enduring long periods of active duty in its intended task as a working sheep dog.

They are a double coated breed, with a moderately long, dense, medium textured topcoat while the undercoat is short, soft and dense, making a weather resisting protection, with abundant coat to form mane, breeching and brush.

They can be black and white, blue and white, chocolate and white, red and white, blue merle and the tri-colour black, tan and white.

History

The Border Collie originated in the United Kingdom, or more specifically, in the area bordering Scotland and England.
The breed was originally known as the "Working Collie" in the early 1900s and through selective breeding has evolved the Border Collie we see today. It is believed that the breed emerged from a mixed ancestry, including the Bob tailed sheep dog, the Bearded Collie and the Harlequin Collie. There is also some references that the collie was often crossed with the setter. This could account for the milder temperament of the Border Collie.
In 1893, Adam Telfer, a farmer living in Otterburn, mated a couple of his working collies, Roy and Meg and produced one called Old Hemp, which might be regarded as the foundation sire of the Border Collie breed. Hemp indeed was early recognised as the very quintessence of the working sheep dog and his services were in great demand. Not only did he sire some two hundred puppies before he died in 1901, but he seems to have been capable of transmitting his own pre-potency to his offspring with the result that Border Collie pedigrees are about as clearly defined as any in the livestock world.
The first recorded import of a Border Collie into Australia was Hindhope Jed in 1901 and research has led us to believe that they were first shown in 1907. They were first shown at the Sydney Royal in 1933 as "Any Other Variety". Later, they were shown in the non-sporting group and in 1953, a separate group was formed, comprising the Australian Cattle Dog, the Australian Kelpie and the Border Collie. This was called "The Australian Working Dog Group" and it was at this time that the RAS Kennel Control classed the Border Collie as an Australian Working Dog because it was one of the main working dogs in Australia and greatly relied on in our sheep and wool industry. This classification has carried through to the present day, although other breeds were added to these in 1961 and the group was then renamed the "Working Dog Group".
The Border collie’s intelligence, tractability and stamina are breed assets which have long been recognised and sought after in their sheep dog work . These same traits are now being put to good use by our "suburban" Borders in the fields of obedience, tracking and agility.
Of course, the Border Collie is first and foremost, a sheep dog and for many years was used for this purpose only. However, the breed has shown its ability to adapt to city life: as long as the Border Collie is in the right home, it is a most attractive and companionable dog, intelligent, loyal and full of fun.

Temperament

The Border Collie is a loyal, loving family pet who is highly intelligent, with an instinctive tendency to work and is readily responsive to training. They are alert, lively, energetic, full of life and need to have this energy and enthusiasm directed positively.

They are generally a gentle and good natured dog and are happiest when they are with their family. They are affectionate towards friends but may be sensibly reserved with strangers.

Any tendency towards aggressiveness or extreme shyness is not desired.

Care / Grooming

Exercise: As they are a working breed they need at least one good walk a day with the opportunity to have free running a number of times a week. When they are fully mature they will be happy to go jogging or trot along beside a bike.

Grooming – comb through coat in sections with a comb or rake comb right to the skin and finish off with a brush. When the dog is shedding coat (usually spring/summer) make sure that you regularly groom him/her to remove all dead coat before it forms mats and knots. Always groom before bathing.
Feeding – regular well balanced meals of good quality dry dog food and fresh meat/chicken/vegetables. Raw bones to be given regularly to keep teeth/gums clean. Like all breeds border collies can become obese if fed too much/exercised too little which can shorten their life and give them health problems.

Training – As border collies are highly intelligent they need training, games and toys to keep them occupied. Although easy to train if they are allowed to do what they want they can be naughty so need to learn their place from the start and should commence with puppy pre school classes followed by classes at a local obedience club.

Worms/Vaccinations - General worming, heart worm prevention and vaccinations need to be done. Your local vet will give you the best advice/program for your dog.

Health

Border Collies are a generally healthy breed although a number of hereditary diseases occur in the breed. Fortunately, for many diseases, DNA tests are available and reputable breeders always test their breeding stock to ensure that no puppies are affected by any of these diseases. Where only a physical test is available, for example Hip Dysplasia (HD), breeders screen their dogs to reduce the likelihood of these conditions occurring in their puppies.

When purchasing a puppy, please ensure that breeders provide evidence of the DNA test results and physical test results (for example Hip/Elbow/Eye results) for the sire and dam.

DNA Tests available for hereditary diseases affecting border collies are:

● Collie Eye Anomaly/ Choroidal Hypoplasia (CEA/CH)

● Trapped Neutrophil Syndrome (TNS)

● Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis 5 (NCL5)

● Raine Syndrome /Canine Dental Hypomineralisation (RS or DH)

● Imerslund-Grasbeck Syndrome (IGS) [aka Intestinal Cobalamin (Vit B12) Malabsortion (ICM)]

● Sensory Neuropathy (SN)

● Degenerative Myelopathy (DM)

● Multi Drug Resistance (MDR1)

● Goniodysgenesis predisposition (Goniodysgenesis/Glaucoma)

● Early Adult Onset Deafness (EAOD)

Physical Tests available for hereditary diseases or disorders affecting border collies:

● Hip and Elbow Dysplasia (HD and ED) – X-rays and Scoring by ANKC approved panel (CHEDS)

● Eye Diseases - Glaucoma, Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA), Primary Lens Luxation (PLL) - examinations/screening by Canine Opthalmologist (ANKC ACES)

Diseases for which no test is available include Discoid Lupus (Collie Nose), Epilepsy and Border Collie Collapse (BCC). Buyers should ask the breeder whether there is a history of these diseases in the parents. Parents affected by these conditions should not be bred from to reduce the risk of producing an affected puppy. Before purchasing a Border Collie puppy, please take the time to visit the website of the National Border Collie Council where you will find lots of helpful information regarding Border Collies including full details of the various health testing that is undertaken by responsible breeders. Please visit: https://www.nationalbordercolliecouncilau.org/breed-health.html

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